Taking empagliflozin with other medicines and herbal supplements

There are some medicines that may increase the effects of empagliflozin. This can make you more likely to get side effects.

Tell your doctor if you're taking any of these medicines:

• medicines that make you pee more (diuretics), such as furosemide – these can increase your risk of dehydration and lower your blood pressure
• high blood pressure medicines, such as ramipril or amlodipine
• other medicines that can lower your blood pressure – including some antidepressants, nitrates (for chest pain), baclofen (a muscle relaxant), tamsulosin (for an enlarged prostate), or co-careldopa or levodopa (for Parkinson's disease)
• medicines that cause low blood sugar, such as insulin or gliclazide – your doctor may lower your dose of these other medicines to prevent hypos

It's safe to take empagliflozin with everyday painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

There is very little information about taking empagliflozin with herbal remedies and supplements. However, some herbal products such as karela, turmeric and ginseng can potentially cause low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).

There's not enough information to say that other complementary medicines, supplements and herbal remedies are safe to take with empagliflozin. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.